Immalaine

At the tapping sound, Rastellion starts out of an unsettled doze. For a moment, he can’t remember where he is: the shape and appointments of this loft apartment – my cell, he thinks, bitterly – aren’t yet familiar. The insistent tap comes again, and he turns to the window, where a cowled form is darkly silhouetted against the stars of a moonless sky.

Being selections from the transcript of the initial hearing in the case of Immalaine v. Rastellion of Bree

***

Rastellion leads the way into the Trading Hall. He's greeted by the usual hubbub of voices - goods being hawked, deals being negotiated, caravaneers making their plans.

Ceolfred watches Rastellion dashing away toward the Esteldin road. He glances at the sun: a bit past mid-afternoon; should leave time enough for his nephew to get back before full dark. Whatever Zandrianna had said to the lad – Ceolfred hadn’t listened in on what passed between them – she seemed to convince him, and he was ready to start out for Bree that same hour.